Modular hydropower unit

a hydropower unit and module technology, applied in water-power plants, machines/engines, mechanical equipment, etc., can solve the problems of high construction cost of infrastructure and installation of generating equipment, and the difficulty of economic development of low-head hydropower using traditional developmen

Active Publication Date: 2020-12-29
BVH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach streamlines the construction of hydropower facilities, decreases installation costs, and enables the economic development of low-head sites by utilizing existing infrastructure, allowing for efficient electricity generation at multiple sites with minimal environmental impact.

Problems solved by technology

To date, one of the major limitations to the development of this technical hydropower potential has been the cost to construct the infrastructure necessary to install the generating equipment.
These traditional hydropower developments have been successfully employed for over 100 years but represent a high capital investment for low-head sites, which makes economic development of low-head hydropower difficult using the traditional development.

Method used

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  • Modular hydropower unit
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  • Modular hydropower unit

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]The present invention is directed to a modular hydropower system for streamlining the construction of power generation facilities and improving the economics of hydropower development for low-head sites. Generally, the modular hydropower units of the present invention are intended to be used at existing water-retention structures, such as low-head dams, which do not currently utilize all available water for electricity generation. The modular hydropower unit(s) may be placed within an existing gate bay, within an unused lock, or downstream of a low-head dam to thereby force water to flow through the turbine generator unit(s) and generate electricity. The modular hydropower unit(s) may be placed upstream of the existing infrastructure, downstream of the existing infrastructure, or the existing infrastructure may be modified to be replaced with the modular hydropower unit(s). As used herein, a “low-head site” refers to any water-based site where the head, i.e., the vertical diff...

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Abstract

A portable hydropower module is provided for the generation of economical hydroelectric power at low-head sites, such as dams and weirs. More particularly, the portable hydropower modules are able to streamline the construction of power generation facilities and improve the economics of hydropower development for low-head sites. The portable hydropower modules may be produced off-site and then transported, such as by floating, to the designated low-head site. The portable hydropower modules may be specifically designed to efficiently facilitate the energy capabilities at the chosen low-head sites.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 656,104 entitled “MODULAR HYDROPOWER UNIT,” filed Apr. 11, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 677,224 entitled “MODULAR HYDROPOWER UNIT,” filed May 29, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 688,071 entitled “MODULAR HYDROPOWER UNIT,” filed Jun. 21, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is generally related to system designs for economical hydroelectric power generation.2. Description of the Related Art[0003]Numerous low-head hydropower sites exist within the United States, which are unused for hydropower production. These sites vary from existing flood control dams, existing locks and dams, existing overflow dams, and undeveloped low-head sites. An assessment of energy potential at non-powered dams in ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityPatents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E02B9/02F03B13/08
CPCE02B9/02F03B13/08E02B9/022E02B9/06F05B2240/40F05B2260/02Y02E10/20Y02E10/30
InventorANDERS, JAY A.O'CONNOR, MOLLYLEMKE, AARON W.MURTHA, BRIANBOWERS, STEPHENGATTO, DAVID
OwnerBVH INC